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  1. W

    Gamut M250i mono blocks vs ???

    Hi MusikLab, I'm am both a music and beer fan, having drink fresh Erdinger in Germany in the past, so got my proverbial wires crossed! Apologies .
  2. W

    Gamut M250i mono blocks vs ???

    Thanks Knopf. Living in New Zealand limits what gear you listen to prior to purchase which means I've done a lot of research before settling on the technology I have. For example, whilst we have an Aries Cerat dealer, he doesn't actually stock anything. My focus has been on equipment grounded...
  3. W

    Gamut M250i mono blocks vs ???

    Kia ora whanau I've purchased the M300's from Knopf. This was a seamless transaction, with Knopf taking the care and time to pack and ship the units with the respect they deserve. I have bought a lot of stuff online and this has been the best experience I've had. The M300's were installed in...
  4. W

    Amplifier input sensitivity

    Hi alfa100 This is a question that has irked me for a while now also. My current DAC has the option of 5 or 10V RMS output with 30V peak-to-peak at 10V. I run directly into my power amp at the 5V setting, which has an input sensitivity of 1.5V RMS for full output of 200W into 8 ohms. I've...
  5. W

    What DACs are you using with your K50 ?

    Aries Cerat Kassandra MK2 Ref, from a Mk3 K50 running Squeeze / Squeeze over AES.
  6. W

    Aries Cerat in France / Switzerland

    Thanks Vess, I'm trying to work out logistics. I'll send you a PM to explore further. Cheers
  7. W

    AC Kassandra Inputs - Is There a 'Best' Option?

    Thanks folks. I see Antipodes has released a V3 of the K50 with a reworked USB interface, but I bit the bullet bfore that annoucement and got the (now superceded) K50 at a good price. It helps that I'm based in NZ and about 45 minutes drive from the Antipodes facilities. I'm currently using the...
  8. W

    Aries Cerat in France / Switzerland

    Thanks Stavros, pls look for an email! Cheers
  9. W

    Aries Cerat in France / Switzerland

    Thanks Argonaut, I'll see if I can get to Cyprus, and failing that, try Michael. Cheers
  10. W

    Aries Cerat in France / Switzerland

    Thanks Phantom, sounds like an outstanding idea! Cheers
  11. W

    Aries Cerat in France / Switzerland

    Kia ora from Aotearoa / New Zealand! I'm the very happy owner of a Kassandra MK2 Ref DAC. I'll be in France / Switzerland for the Rugby World Cup in September, staying near Geneva and travelling to Lyon a few times to watch the All Blacks. I have a massive favour to ask. I'm keen to hear a...
  12. W

    AC Kassandra Inputs - Is There a 'Best' Option?

    Thanks everyone for the input. I've ended up with the Antipodes K50 connected via AES, double reclockwd, to the Kassandra, running Squeeze server and player. Things are sounding pretty good in this configuration. Once the K50 has finished breaking in I'll do a comparison against the USB input...
  13. W

    AC Kassandra Inputs - Is There a 'Best' Option?

    Thanks RaChik, great feedback.
  14. W

    AC Kassandra Inputs - Is There a 'Best' Option?

    Thanks for the advice AA. I'm in a position where I need to swap out my server as it's on its last legs. Baach looks interesting and could be an option down the track. Cheers
  15. W

    AC Kassandra Inputs - Is There a 'Best' Option?

    I have Kassandra Ref 2 DAC and an considering a server / streamer. I'm looking at two options: USB output only, and USB/SPDIF/AES with an uplift in cost. I use the USB input on the Kassie today. Given the double reclocking of the USB input on the DAC, what is your experience between the USB...
  16. W

    Power Tube Specs, performance and longevity

    The amplifier has built-in diagnostics. If a tube experiences an issue the amplifier shuts down and indicates which tube should be replaced. After 9x failures at 1900 hours I bit the bullet and replaced all 12 hoping to get better reliability. Wasn't the case.
  17. W

    Power Tube Specs, performance and longevity

    It was some months between last listening to the Preferred Series , due to the high failure rate eating my spares, and the manufacturer supplied EHs going in. The best I can answer is that I found a greater difference between the 6550s and the Preferred Series KT88'S than those to the EH version.
  18. W

    Power Tube Specs, performance and longevity

    I prefer the KT88s to the 6550, punchier, better bass, not quite as holographic though.
  19. W

    Power Tube Specs, performance and longevity

    A set of EH KT88's, a set of EH 6550's, and a set of Preferred Series KT88's.
  20. W

    Power Tube Specs, performance and longevity

    I guess that's the rub, I don't have those details, instead relying on the tubes tested and certified by the manufacturer to reach their claimed average life. I paid over double the price for those tubes compared to a set from an independent retailer. The average life is less than 1900 hours...
  21. W

    Power Tube Specs, performance and longevity

    Very interesting discussion. I have been in dispute with the local agent for a very well known manufacturer of high end tube amplifiers. The estimated average tube life for my power amplifier is 3,000 hours on KT88 tubes due to some fancy power on sequencing and autobias. I've had 3x sets of...
  22. W

    Opinions Wanted: Tube Power Amplifier Reliability

    I won't confirm or deny the manufacturer at this stage, but a fourth tube has just gone at 1067 hours, on power up. This consumption rate means, as with the first set of 12, all 12x new tubes I purchased late December 21 will likely be replaced prior to the 3,000 expected life span. Another...
  23. W

    Opinions Wanted: Tube Power Amplifier Reliability

    Hi Sablon, input AC was monitored over the period of a month at different tes of the day and is 230V +/- 7V. The factory do not believe there is an issue with that.
  24. W

    Opinions Wanted: Tube Power Amplifier Reliability

    Hi Ron, no, the amplifier shut down, as expected, before any damage. That function is working well .
  25. W

    Opinions Wanted: Tube Power Amplifier Reliability

    This means I have manually provided the error logs from the amplifier, which I acessed via an RS232 interface.
  26. W

    Opinions Wanted: Tube Power Amplifier Reliability

    Hi all Seeking some advice please. Please note, I’m not looking for any technical diagnosis / troubleshooting. Before I take any next steps I’m canvassing opinion on expected ‘reliability’ of one element of my system. I have a very well known, high end power amplifier. It is a stereo 12x tube...
  27. W

    Calling AC Kassandra Owners

    Hi RdW, apologies, it has been a while. I still own the Kassandra. There was a delay in getting the unit up and running due to an intermittent fault likely caused during the journey to New Zealand, then Covid and other factors has seen the last months fly past. That issue was fixed and Kassie...
  28. W

    Resolution vs. Musicality

    A very interesting thread, if somewhat circular. To me the concepts are simple: Resolution is an objective term, and includes a systems ability to resolve timbre, tone and timing as the performer / recording engineer intended, be it electronic music or 'analogue' instruments and voices recorded...
  29. W

    EMM Labs, Totaldac

    I'm very happy with the Kassandra. It makes music sound 'real', it provides music with 'presence' or 'immediacy'. I'd love to look at more AC for my system but, deep sigh, too much competition for a limited budget. Enjoy!
  30. W

    6550 or KT88 for a VTL MB450

    I have a VTL S400 v1. I replaced the VTL issued 6550 tubes with tested Preferred Series KT88s from The Tube Depot. I had 5x failures before 1000 hours, and the green tube fault indicator on the front display couldn't be cleared, but otherwise the amp worked well. I was convinced this was an...

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